Looking to try CBD oil? Maybe you’d like to fight anxiety using CBD? Or you want to use CBD to reduce arthritis pain?
There are tons of reasons to use CBD oil — which is why it’s so popular — but before you get started, you want to make sure you understand what’s out there and how it works.
First, we want to clear up any confusion around the names that are used. Some people use “hemp oil” or “hemp seed oil” interchangeably with “CBD oil”.
Hemp seed oil and CBD oil are very different products.
CBD oil is made from the stalks, flowers, and leaves of the hemp plant. These are the parts of the plant with the highest concentration of the cannabinoid CBD — the compound that you’re looking for to deliver health benefits from a CBD product.
Hemp seed oil, on the other hand, comes from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. Even though there is no CBD in these seeds, they boast a rich profile of nutrients that are sought after for health and beauty uses. Fatty acids, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds can be found in the nutrient-rich hemp seeds.
Hemp seed oil has long been used for cooking and as an ingredient in various beauty products.
CBD oil can derive from hemp — usually purpose-grown hemp — or any cannabidiol-rich strain of cannabis. As we mentioned, CBD oil is processed from the entire plant, not just the seeds.
The active ingredient in CBD oil is usually listed as a “whole plant extract”, most commonly referred to as CBD isolate. Other common terms that you might find on a label include “full spectrum”, “broad spectrum”, “PCR”, or “phytocannabinoid-rich”.
Let’s also not get confused when it comes to CBD for vaping! Sometimes, people will say that they’re “vaping CBD oil”. This is not actually true.
The CBD products created for vaping contain hemp-based extracts, but they are specifically formulated for this delivery system. CBD vapes typically contain the same ingredients used in other e-liquids — vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and flavorings. The mixture also includes either CBD isolate or CBD distillate. The important take-away here is that you should never try to vape actual CBD oil, but only “vape juice” mixtures that are specifically made for the purpose.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CBD OIL
The cannabis plant produces hundreds of different unique compounds known as cannabinoids. The two that you’re most likely aware of are THC — the psychoactive “drug” compound — and CBD — the compound with many beneficial and curative properties.
Most CBD oil is derived from hemp plants specifically grown to contain a higher level of CBD. (This is because the CBD content in industrial hemp is typically very low.)
The majority of CBD oil is extracted from the mature flowers of the hemp plant using a number of processes, such as CO2 extraction and dissolution in special solvents.
This is where the differences between hemp oil and CBD oil continue. When extracted, hemp oil is essentially a finished product, whereas CBD oil must be processed to remove impurities and then mixed with carrier oils to become a usable product.
One common carrier oil for CBD is actually hemp oil (for convenience) so there is a chance that you can end up with a final product that’s technically a CBD oil product and a hemp oil product!
Now, let’s take a look at a few different versions of CBD oil that can result from the manufacturing process:
HEMP OIL VS. CBD OIL
Similarities:
- Both oils are extracted from the cannabis plant.
- Often, the cannabis sativa plant is the source for either.
- Neither has intoxicating effects.
- Both are known for their healing and therapeutic properties.
- Either can be applied topically, ingested, or combined with other products (like hand creams) to enhance their benefits.
Differences:
- Hemp oil is derived from seeds and CBD oil is derived from the stalk, flower and leaves.
- Hemp oil can only be derived from the industrial hemp variety of cannabis sativa, while CBD oil can come from a few different varieties of the cannabis plant.
- The best CBD oils often come with lab reports showing their purity.
- Based on changes to the Farm Bill, CBD oil can legally contain up to 0.3% THC. Hemp oil contains no THC.
- Some states have laws that apply to the distribution and manufacture of CBD; hemp oil containing no THC has no such restrictions.
- Hemp oil contains no cannabinoids and should be seen as a nutrient-rich oil much like flaxseed oil.
- Hemp oil has long been a staple in modern beauty products, but CBD is relatively new thanks to changes in regulations.
RAW CBD OIL VS CBD CONCENTRATE
When CBD is extracted from the hemp plants, the resulting product is classified as “raw hemp extract.” This raw extract must be run through several filtration and distillation processes to remove impurities and other unwanted compounds. Though these impurities are naturally occurring and typically harmless (i.e. wax and chlorophyll) they’re not desirable when trying to produce a pure CBD oil. The refined oil that’s produced in this method is known as CBD concentrate or CBD distillate.
Reference this for more information on full/broad/isolate
https://royalcbd.com/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-broad-spectrum/
FULL-SPECTRUM CBD OIL
Raw hemp extract contains multiple cannabinoids and other substances that are similar to CBD. These additional cannabinoids work together with CBD and interact with the body. The synergy between the cannabinoids enhances the effectiveness of each other creating something called the “Entourage effect”.
BROAD SPECTRUM CBD OIL
Unlike full-spectrum CBD oil, broad spectrum CBD oil has all traces of THC extracted. Otherwise, this type of oil retains all of the additional compounds in the same manner as full spectrum CBD.
Anyone who wants to avoid putting any amount of THC in their system should consider broad spectrum CBD as their safest option.
King Buddha uses full-spectrum oil in our CBD products to give you the maximum benefits of the full chemical profile of the hemp plant with zero THC. (This is important for anyone who is worried about testing positive for marijuana use, as small amounts of THC in impure CBD products can build up over time.)
CBD ISOLATE
CBD is sometimes purified and isolated down to its core compound.
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and forms a solid crystal at room temperature. CBD that has been purified into an isolate in this way is colorless and odorless. CBD isolate does not contain any other cannabinoids.
CBD isolate is usually ingested and can be taken directly or combined with other products to enhance flavor.
CBD-RICH OIL/PHYTOCANNABINOID-RICH (PCR)
When the term “CBD-rich oil” is used, it typically means the oil has been through filtration and distillation processes to remove unwanted substances and impurities.
As is usually the case with filtration and distillation, the purpose is to increase the potency of the CBD oil. As such, CBD-rich oils can be expected to have a higher CBD concentration than other CBD oils. (Although checking lab reports and reading the labels are always the best ways to be sure you’re actually getting a more potent product.)
CBD-INFUSED OIL
Purified CBD isolate can be infused into any number of other oils to enhance them with CBD’s properties. Full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil or CBD-rich oil can be used in this process as well.
Again, reading the labels can help you identify exactly what you’re getting. CBD-infused oil should list all the ingredients used in its production. This is how you will determine if the product is full spectrum or broad spectrum.
If the product contains only CBD isolate, then it is neither full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil.
CHOOSING THE BEST CBD OILS AND HEMP OILS
Hemp oil and CBD oil both offer unique benefits to the body. Both are nutrient-rich oils that can be used internally or topically for their macronutrients (healthy fats) and other benefits. Both are derived from the cannabis plant.
The differences are key. Hemp oil contains no THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids which means that the profile of benefits that can be expected are markedly different. Hemp oil doesn’t react with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which means it will not have the same effects on things like pain and anxiety that CBD oils are known for.
Choosing CBD oil that is pure and organic is key to getting the best results. Whenever possible, choose CBD retailers who provide third-party lab tests of their CBD products. In many cases, this is the only way to be 100% sure of the quality you’re getting.
King Buddha is proud to offer a wide selection of USA-grown, organic CBD products. We make our lab tests readily available to shoppers like yourself so that you can always be certain you’re getting America’s best CBD products.
I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round.
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